War of 1812
War of 1812,fought between the U.S. and Great Britain (1812–15). During the Napoleonic Wars, American shipping flourished to such an extent that it harmed both French and English commerce and led the British to impress British sailors on board American ships, and the Americans retaliated with embargo and nonintercourse acts. Meanwhile Clay, Calhoun, and other “war hawks” in Congress felt that the British were unfairly preventing American expansion in the West by such means as inciting Indians to hostilities along the frontier, and they desired war to conquer Canada and west Florida. War was declared June 18, 1812, and the land forces were soon forced to surrender to the British. At sea the Americans were more successful; the Constitution defeated the Guerrière, and the United States, commanded by Decatur, defeated the Macedonian, although the Chesapeake under James Lawrence was defeated by the Shannon. Perry's...
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